Work Text:
February 13, 2016
Ann paused before she knocked on the door, her hand briefly caressing her bump as she heard Leslie's cackle through the door. She let go of Chris's hand and knocked softly. Oliver was pressed against his father's shoulder and she rubbed his back gently as they waited the 30 seconds it took Ben to answer the door.
Ben smiled as he let them in, right on time. Ann moved into the living room, stopping when Leslie came in view. She took in the sight of her best friend at her most relaxed, watching two of the triplets wobble around, laughing at their antics while she cuddled Stephen on her lap.
"Ben! Who's here?"
Silence.
"Who do you think is is, sweetheart?" Leslie asked Stephen. The little boy looked Ann's way and squealed, his hands reaching for her, which caused Leslie to finally look her way. "Ann! Ann's here! Babies, Aunt Ann is here!"
Leslie scrambled to her feet, placing Stephen on the floor with his siblings before running into Ann's arms. "What are you doing here? Ann! Your gift is in the mail!"
"I know. I came here to give you your gift in person." They sat on the couch and Stephen immediately climbed into Ann's lap. Sonia and Westley toddled around, lost in their game.
"I'm so happy you're here. That's gift enough."
"You're going to love it, I promise," she started, but paused as Ben came into the room with Chris and Oliver, Oliver's face still in Chris's neck. He was going through a shy phase.
"Leslie Knope!"
"Chris Traeger!"
"I am so excited to be in the best house in Pawnee to share our news with literally our best friends in the world."
"News? You have news? Ben, they have news!"
Ann smiled at Chris, then turned to Leslie, taking her hands. "We had the anatomy scan yesterday. The baby is healthy and strong."
"That's wonderful," Ben said. "Did you find out the sex?"
"The lovely Ann Perkins and I will be completing our family with a daughter. Isn't that literally the best news you ever heard?"
"A girl! You're having a daughter! Ann, you beautiful gestating glow worm. A girl!"
"Leslie."
"Daughters are so fun! And she and Sonia are going to be best friends, which will help when Sonia marries Oliver, because getting along with his sister-"
"Leslie."
"Yes, Ann?"
"That's her name. Leslie. Leslie Christine."
Ann was prepared for the hug. She knew there was no way she could reveal the news without a hug. She had also been prepared for happy crying, so it was no surprise when Leslie burst into tears. "Are you sure? Chris doesn't mind?"
"Leslie Knope, you are literally the best person I have ever met, other than the lovely Ann Perkins. You are married to my best friend. There is no better name for our little girl."
"We came here to tell you in person. Leslie, you've supported me through so much. I couldn't dream of a better friend. It is my greatest wish that my Leslie is as loving and kind as you."
"She's going to be so wonderful, Ann. I can't believe this. Leslie. They're naming the baby after me, Ben!"
"I heard, babe. Congratulations." Ben turned to Chris, "can you help me start bedtime with the triplets? I think they're going to be busy for a while."
"It would be my honor, Ben Wyatt."
"Honey, you don't have to do that. I'll be right there," Leslie said, but made no move to let go of Ann.
Ben kissed Leslie's head and smiled at Ann. "Stay here. Chris and I will get the kids their baths and settled in their beds. I'll come get you for story time. They like your voices better."
"Because I'm amazing at voices. Thanks, babe." She turned back to Ann, putting her hand on the bump that housed her namesake. "Leslie. I can't believe it."
"I love you, Leslie. It's the best possible name for her."
"Mama!" Sonia ran into the room, having made a break for it the second she heard the water. "No bath!"
Ann and Leslie broke apart and Leslie scooped up her little escapee. "Let's get you back to Daddy."
"No!"
"Come on, my beautiful, brilliant baby squirrel. Maybe we can get Daddy to put in bubbles."
"No! No bath!"
Ann sat back, watching as Leslie walked down the hall, wincing as Sonia started to wail.
"Sonia Ann, shhh." Leslie gently bounced her daughter as they moved down the hall. Hearing Sonia's middle name always made Ann smile, even when it wasn't under the most pleasant circumstances. "It's okay. We're gonna ask Daddy for bubbles, remember?"
Ann heard Sonia's soft "uh huh" as the crying stopped and they disappeared into the bathroom. Her grin widened - she still couldn't believe how far she and Leslie had come since that town hall. Attending that meeting was the best thing that had ever happened to her, directly or indirectly leading to all the best things in her life.
Leslie Christine flipped within in her and Ann palmed her belly. "Happy first Galentine's Day, baby girl."
She had definitely won this year.